Tansitions and Change in Adult Life

Recommended Prerequisites

Some knowledge on life long development is recommended. The student must have good English reading skills since main references will be presented in English.

Teaching Methods

Expositive method supported by the presentation of slides; interrogative methods; oral or written reflection based on the presentation of audiovisual materials.

Analysis of texts on key concepts of the curricular unit of Tansitions and Changes in Adult Life.

Active methodologies based on case studies presented in written texts or using audiovisual materials; reflection and problem solving, applying critical thinking.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will have a greater understanding:

1. To analyse interdisciplinary perspectives of adult development;

2. To develop critical thinking about adults biological, cognitive, psychosocial, and affective changes;

3. To analyse particular problems facing adults such as unemployment, precariat, poverty, domestic violence, substance abuse.

4. To demonstrate critical, creative, and scientific skills to make ethical and logical decisions when examining transitions and changes over adult life.

5. To apply research of adult transitions and development to the real world.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1.         Theories and Models of Human Development: From emerging adulthood to adulhood.

2.         Transition from the emergency of adulthood into adulthood.

3.         Characteristics of adulhood.

4.         Physical, cognitive, and psychossocial changes.

5.         Social relationhips and intimacy: Transitions and changes.

6.         Transitions from school to work.

7.         Work transitions (e.g., job changes, unemployment and reemployment).

8.          Health, well-being, wisdom, and spirituality.

9.         Problems in adulhood: poverty, precariat in work, problems in relationships, substance abuse.

10.        Transition into retirement.

Head Lecturer(s)

Joaquim Armando Gomes Alves Ferreira

Assessment Methods

Assessment method
critical review of journal article: 20.0%
Synthesis work: 80.0%

Bibliography

Arnett, J. J. (2015). Emerging adulthood: The winding road from the late teens through the tweenties. Oxford University Press.

Bjourklund, B.R. (2016). The Journey of Adulthood, 8th Edition. Florida Atlantic University: Pearson.

Ferreira, J. A., Haase, R. F., Santos, E. R., Rabaça, J., Figueiredo, L., Gashemi, H., & Matos, L. (2019). Decent work in Portugal: Context, conceptualization, and assessment. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 112, 77-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2019.01.009

Blustein, D. L., Duffy, R., Ferreira, J. A., Cohen-Scali, V., Cinamon, R. G., & Allan, B. A. (2020). Unemployment in the time of COVID-19: A research agenda. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2020.103436